TV Gal Sings and Dances

How else do you explain that both Ian Ziering and Joey Fatone are going to be on "Dancing with the Stars." It has to be television's way of telling me, it likes me, it really, really likes me. And that my unwavering devotion to "90210" has not been forgotten. The fact that Ziering is paired up with two-time champ Cheryl Burke is simply fantastic. I also think it's nice that TV knows there's only so much happy news I can handle. I mean if Luke Perry and JC Chasez were on "Dancing with the Stars," I might never recover

So it's why I'm in this joyful state that I think we should talk about "American Idol." For the purposes of today's column, I will ignore that fact that Simon and Ryan continue with their incessant and insulting homophobic banter. I will stop wondering what was growing out of Paula's hair Wednesday night. I will stop worrying that Simon jinxed my early fave Lakisha Jones by saying everyone else should drop out of the competition or why the judges seem to be trying to sway the result mores than they ever have before. Also, do you think Randy says "dawg" more times per hour that Jack Bauer says "damnit"? As a final side note, I want to declare right now that Nicholas Pedro is the "Boston Rob" of "American Idol."

Today, I will put all my quibbles, concerns and random thoughts aside and turn my attention to the Final Four.

Typically, I've waited until we were down to the Final 12 to make my fearless Final Four predictions, but I'm feeling lucky so here we go. My Final Four are Lakisha Jones, Brandon Rogers, Blake Lewis and Jordan Sparks. Who are your Final Four? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com and let me know. Winner gets full bragging rights.

Diana Scarwid was the sheriff deciding Juliet's fate on "Lost." We saw her this season as Jeannette on "Prison Break" - she's the one living in the house where the money was buried. She was also Karen on "Wonderfalls."

I want to make sure everyone knows that Elizabeth Reaser is playing the pregnant and very injured Jane Doe on "Grey's Anatomy." She was Alice on "Saved."

Tom recognized Kali Rocha, currently playing overly cheery Dr. Sydney Heron on "Grey's Anatomy," was tabloid reporter Cindy Moreno on "Law & Order: SVU." And of course we all remember Rocha as the demon Halfrek on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

Jer recognized that Jayma Mays is playing Henry's girlfriend Charlie on "Ugly Betty." She was Charlie Andrews earlier this season on "Heroes" - Hiro met her in the diner and tried to save her life. She's immediately being placed in my "deserves her own show" file.

Blake Bashoff is Karl, Alex's boyfriend on "Lost." Bashoff was Eric Black on "Judging Amy." And I think I've told you this before but in case you forgot Tania Raymonde, who plays Ben's daughter Alex on "Lost," was Malcolm's girlfriend Cynthia on "Malcolm in the Middle."

Kari Matchett, Dr. Muriel Underlay last season on "Invasion," was the lawyer representing Studio 60 in the sexual harassment suit on "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip."

Rob was the first to let me know that Stan Lee, creator of "Spiderman," "The Incredible Hulk," and basically a Marvel comics legend, was the bus driver on "Heroes."

Where Have I Heard That Before?

Sean was the first savvy reader to realize that the lawyer on "Studio 60" worked for Gage Whitney, which was the same law firm Sam Seaborn was working at when Josh came to his office and hired him to work on the Bartlett campaign on "The West Wing."

"To warn the Scavo boys." Carlos to Gabrielle. Thanks to Jodie for the exchange.

Quotes of the Week

"That's two." Marshall after slapping Barney on "How I Met Your Mother" referencing the slap bet episode earlier this season. Thanks to Jason and Alan for being the first to send in this week's most popular quote. You can file this quote under: This is why we love "How I Met Your Mother."

"Thanks for the tip, Felicity." Dave to Brian on "What About Brian" referencing Brian's hair cut. Thanks to Jen and Derek for being the first to send in the second most popular quote of the week.

"That's what I would do. I'd round us all up, stick us in a lab on some island in the middle of the ocean." Nathan to Simone on "Heroes." Hmmm ... remind you of any other show on television? Thanks to Kevin and Josh for the quote.

"I smell bread." Sheriff Lamb's final words on "Veronica Mars." Thanks to Joshua for the quote.

"No one's life is worth the destruction of everything I built." The positively evil Phillip Bauer to his grandson Josh on "24."

Highlights of the Week AheadAll times listed are Eastern Standard Time for Feb. 26 to March 4

I have to tell you that it's getting mighty crowded over at the "The Class" support group meetings on Monday night. Last weeks post-episode topic was Joey is to "Friends" as Duncan is to "The Class" (Monday, CBS, 8:30 p.m.). Discuss. This week Nicole decides whether to stay with her husband or leave him for Duncan.

Well, well, well, we won't have "Studio 60" to kick around any more, or at least those of you who truly disliked the show won't have to listen to me talk about it any more. Sure NBC says it will bring it back to the schedule, but I won't believe it until I see the white of Matthew Perry's eyes. "The Black Donnellys" moves into the timeslot Monday on NBC. I liked the pilot but I didn't love it. It seemed like it was trying too hard to be dramatic and important and it was far too murky. This is similar to the complaint I had about "Friday Night Lights" when that show first premiered and now I'm in love with it. So who know what could happen? After you watch the premiere of "The Black Donnellys" let me know what you think.

I'm totally going to miss Sheriff Lamb, aren't you? Seriously I know I addressed this in last week's column but all this killing simply has got to stop. Lamb (and the fabulous Michael Muhney) provided excellent comedic fodder on a show that often needed a relief from the drama. Without him, something will be missing on the show. Keith and Veronica need an incompetent nemesis. This week (Tuesday, CW, 9 p.m.), the dynamic father/daughter duo find out who killed the Dean and then the show disappears from the schedule to make room for "The Search for the Next Pussycat Doll." When the show returns it will be in stand alone episodes - one mystery per episode for the rest of the season - but I'll take my gal Veronica any way I can get her.

Reunited and it feels so good. Kate and Sawyer are reunited with the rest of the gang on "Lost" (Wednesday, ABC, 10 p.m.). As much as I've been committed to the Kate/Jack/Sawyer story arc on the show, I too want to know what's going on with the rest of the island characters.

I know I'm driving some of you crazy with my constant complaining about "Grey's Anatomy," so I just have two words about last week "Meredith hangs out with dead people" episode: "All set." This is the first night after the end of February sweeps so "Grey's" is a repeat (the men go camping) at 9 p.m. on Thursday on ABC.

It's the season finales of both "Monk" and "Psych" this Friday beginning at 9 p.m. on USA. James Roday, who plays Shawn on "Psych," co-wrote the second season finale of the show. John Landis directed and Mercedes Ruehl guest stars in this episode that finds Gus and Shawn investigating the death of a sorority sister at 10 p.m. on USA.

I liked the quick wrap up to the Bree storyline on "Desperate Housewives" (Sunday, ABC, 9 p.m.) but is anyone else worried about Tom. On a show like "Desperate Housewives" when someone has a little blip like he did during the pizzeria opening, it has got to mean something. This week Rex narrates and we get to meet Edie's long lost son.

I'm loving Emily VanCamp on "Brothers & Sisters" (Sunday, ABC, 10 p.m.). How about you? While I do keep waiting for Ephram to show up (with or without the ferris wheel, either way is fine by me), she is the perfect addition to the show and a great creative direction for the show to go in. I'm enjoying her so much that I've decided to overlook the fact that Kitty dates every man she meets. I mean, who could possibly resist Rob Lowe? I'm very worried about Kevin though.

That's all for today. I'll be back next week to wrap up the good, the bad and the ugly of February sweeps, and thoughts on "Prison Break" (a familiar face returns), "The Amazing Race: All-Stars" (once again, if loving Boston Rob is wrong, I so don't want to be right), and much, much more. Have a question? Seen a familiar face? Want to nominate a quote of the week? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com.